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How Should I Prepare My Home for Hurricane Season?

Living on Alabama’s Gulf Coast means hurricane preparation is part of homeownership. You can’t control the weather, but preparing your home before a storm is approaching can give you more time to make thoughtful decisions and take care of things that are much harder to handle at the last minute.

Start Before a Storm Is in the Forecast

The best time to prepare for hurricane season is before there’s a storm headed our way.

Take some time to look around your property and identify things that could become problems during high winds or heavy rain. This is also a good time to make sure you know how you would protect windows and doors if needed and that any hurricane shutters or panels you own are accessible and in usable condition.

If your home requires specifically sized or labeled panels, knowing where each one belongs ahead of time can save a lot of frustration later.

Look at the Exterior of Your Home

Walk around your property periodically and look for things that may need attention, including:

• Loose or damaged roofing materials

• Gutters or downspouts that aren't securely attached

• Tree limbs hanging over or touching the home

• Loose fencing or gates

• Outdoor furniture, grills, planters, decorations, and other items that could become airborne

• Areas where water tends to collect around the property

Some of these things can be handled well before hurricane season rather than waiting until a storm is approaching.

Know How You'll Protect Windows and Doors

If your home has hurricane shutters or panels, make sure you know how they work and have the necessary hardware.

If you don't have a permanent protection system, don't wait until a storm is approaching to start figuring out what you'll need.

Also check exterior doors and garage doors. The garage door is a particularly large opening in the home, so understanding whether yours has wind protection or reinforcement is worthwhile.

Take Care of the Yard

Trees and landscaping deserve attention throughout the year.

Dead or damaged limbs can become hazards during high winds. Have concerning trees or large limbs evaluated and trimmed by an appropriate professional rather than trying to tackle dangerous tree work yourself.

As a storm approaches, bring in or properly secure outdoor items that could move in high winds.

Review Your Insurance Before You Need It

Hurricane season is a good reminder to review your homeowners insurance and understand what your policy does—and does not—cover.

Pay particular attention to your hurricane or named-storm deductible, since it may work differently from your regular deductible.

Also remember that flood damage is generally not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy. If you're unsure about your flood coverage or other parts of your policy, talk with your insurance professional before a storm is approaching.

Make a Home Inventory

If you ever need to file an insurance claim, having a record of what you owned before the loss can be extremely helpful.

Walk through your home and take photos or video of:

• Furniture and electronics

• Appliances

• Valuable belongings

• Closets and storage areas

• Garage contents

• Major improvements you've made to the home

Keep copies somewhere you can access even if you can't get back into the house.

Gather Important Home Documents

Keep important property information together and easy to access.

That may include insurance policies, flood insurance information, mortgage information, FORTIFIED documentation, warranties, receipts for major improvements, photos of the home, and contact information for your insurance company and other important professionals.

Digital copies can be especially useful if you have to leave the area.

If You Have a Generator, Prepare Beforehand

Don't wait for a power outage to figure out how your generator works.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions, make sure you have the proper supplies, and understand how to operate it safely.

Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, enclosed porch, or other enclosed or partially enclosed space. Generators produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Keep the generator outdoors and the manufacturer-recommended safe distance from doors, windows, and vents.

Know Your Evacuation Plan

Preparing the house is important, but people come first.

Know whether your property is in an evacuation zone, decide where you would go if you needed to leave, and think through how you'll travel there.

Don't forget to plan for pets, medications, important documents, chargers, and anything family members may need if you're away from home for several days.

Follow evacuation instructions and storm information from official local and state emergency-management sources.

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

Once a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast, supplies can become harder to find and there may not be enough time to tackle projects around the house safely.

The goal isn't to panic every hurricane season.

It's to do what you reasonably can before a storm is on the way so that, if one does threaten our area, you're focused on final preparations and your family's safety rather than starting from scratch.

Hurricane Season Home Checklist

☐ Know your evacuation zone and evacuation route
☐ Have a family and pet evacuation plan
☐ Review homeowners and flood insurance coverage
☐ Know your hurricane/named-storm deductible
☐ Create or update a photo/video home inventory
☐ Keep important home documents accessible
☐ Check the roof and exterior for visible concerns
☐ Trim concerning trees or limbs before storms threaten
☐ Know how you'll protect windows and doors
☐ Locate hurricane panels, shutters, hardware, and tools
☐ Check the garage door and understand its wind protection
☐ Have a plan for outdoor furniture, grills, planters, and decorations
☐ Make sure gutters and drainage areas are clear
☐ Prepare and understand safe generator operation, if applicable
☐ Follow official local weather and emergency-management information

Frequently Asked Questions

When is hurricane season?
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, although storms can occur outside those dates.

Should I tape my windows before a hurricane?
No. Tape does not provide meaningful protection against hurricane-force winds or flying debris. Use an appropriate opening-protection system designed for that purpose.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding from a hurricane?
Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is separate coverage, so homeowners should review their individual policies with their insurance professional.

When should I put up hurricane shutters or panels?
Don't wait until conditions become unsafe. Follow local emergency information and allow enough time to install your particular system safely before tropical-storm-force winds arrive.

Should I evacuate if my house is strong or FORTIFIED?
A stronger home does not replace an evacuation order. If officials tell your area to evacuate, follow those instructions regardless of how your home was built.

Where should I get hurricane information?
Use official sources such as the National Hurricane Center, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and your county or local emergency-management agency rather than relying solely on social-media posts.

Related Homeowner Guides

What Roof and Gutter Maintenance Should I Be Doing? 

What Home Maintenance Should I Do Each Season? 

What Should I Know About FORTIFIED Roofs? 

How Can I Protect My Home From Wind and Storm Damage? 

Have Questions?

Homeownership comes with questions long after closing day, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own.

Whether you have a question about maintaining your home, planning an improvement, or protecting your investment, we're always happy to be a resource.

Dana & John Martin – Team Martin
Waters Edge Realty
318-504-9925 | 504-450-2714
ALGulfCoastAgents@gmail.com